California

Workforce Success Story Submitted By: Workforce Development Board - San Bernardino County

Meet Alisha

Workforce Challenge

When Alisha discovered she was pregnant at 14, she vowed it would not interfere with her education and plans to graduate. However, by the eleventh grade, her responsibilities became overwhelming and she dropped out of high school.

Workforce Solution

Through the Workforce Development Board, Alisha received encouragement, tutoring and guidance to earn her diploma, job skills, including interview, resume and presentation skills, and funds for college.

Outcomes & Benefits

Through the assistance provided by the Workforce Investment Board, Alisha graduated from high school and will start college courses to become a veterinary technician. She says, "When I first joined the program I thought I wasn’t smart enough and cried every day. But everyone gave me hope and made me understand that no one is perfect and we can fix our mistakes. I worked hard every day and was given support to help me be patient and focus on what is important. The program has helped me grow from being a girl who was stubborn, who had an attitude, and who would just react from emotions, to being a woman who is strong and stable, who knows that it takes hard work to achieve goals. Not only did I obtain my diploma, but I gained so much more; the desire to keep pushing for bigger and better things."